LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling 'banned for life' from NBA, fined

In this Oct. 17, 2010 file photo, Los Angeles Clippers team owner Donald Sterling watches his team play in Los Angeles. The NBA is investigating a report of an audio recording in which a man purported to be Sterling makes racist remarks while speaking to his girlfriend. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Saturday, APril 26, 2014, that the league is in the process of authenticating the validity of the recording posted on TMZ's website. Bass called the comments "disturbing and offensive." (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned "for life" and fined $2.5 million by commissioner Adam Silver after making racist comments in a taped conversation, it was announced Tuesday.

Silver also said he will encourage the NBA's owners to exercise its options to also remove Sterling as a team owner.

According to the NBA, as part of the lifetime ban, Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.

Sterling's racist comments were first revealed by TMZ and then in another recording posted on Deadspin. The NBA was able to authenticate the tapes, which were recorded in a private setting.

"Whether or not these remarks were initially shared in private, they are now public, and they represent his views," Silver said.

CarMax and Virgin America announced they are ending their sponsorships of the team, and Kia Motors America plans to suspend its advertising and sponsorship activities with the franchise. Insurer State Farm said it "will be taking a pause in our relationship with the organization," though the popular ad campaign featuring Clippers guard Chris Paul will continue, as will the company's initiatives with the NBA.

"CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers' owner completely
unacceptable," Richmond, Va.-based CarMax Inc. said Monday in an emailed
statement. "While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for 9 years and support
the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its
sponsorship"

Los Angeles-based AQUAhydrate -- launched by rap mogul Sean "P Diddy" Combs and actor Mark Wahlberg -- also said it was suspending its sponsorship "in the wake of Sterling's alleged intolerable comments ... until the NBA completes its investigation."